What is Kawasaki disease?

Kawasaki disease is a rare disease, and is found in children. Other name is Kawasaki syndrome or mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome. The disease causes inflammation of blood vessels disekujur patient's body. Approximately 80% of patients with Kawasaki syndrome are children under age 5 years and most numerous at the age between 9-12 months. The disease is rare in children who are aged over 8 years. And the children of Asian ethnicity at higher risk of developing the disease.

The disease is named for the name of a Japanese pediatric named Tomisaku Kawasaki, who discovered it in 1967. Since that time it was known to many similar cases are found in many other countries.

Patients characterized by some of the following symptoms:

Ø High fever for days, to 39 ^ C, at least for 5 consecutive days followed by symptoms of inflammation and redness of the eyes (conjunctivitis),

Ø palms of the hands and feet will be colored red or swollen,

Ø Followed flaky skin after about 2 weeks since the disease occurs,

Ø reddish rash on the body,

Ø Sometimes accompanied by swollen lymph nodes (cervical lymphadenopathy),

Ø Inflammation of the lips or mucous membranes in the mouth,

Ø lips are cracked, chipped and can sometimes bleed,

Ø Inflammation of the throat,

Ø Or red like a strawberry on the tongue (strawberry tangue),

Ø Pain in the joints.

What causes the onset of Kawasaki syndrome in children is not so clear. Some argue this is caused by a viral infection, another theory says the cause is a disorder of the immune system caused by the toxic reactions of the surrounding environment. As well as various versions of other causes. Recently showed that a type of virus called a coronavirus may account for the onset of the disease.

Heart Problem

If left unchecked, Kawasaki syndrome can cause heart damage and swelling of the blood vessels to the heart (coronary) is called an aneurysm. Aneurysm of the coronary arteries caused by inflammation in the arteries is called vasculitis. This is what makes Kawasaki syndrome is a major cause of congenital heart disease (CHD) in children in developing countries. About 25% of patients will have problems in heart and 1% will die, if no further treatment.

In the event of an aneurysm, its development will take place a week after the symptoms of fever and the other begins. If the maintenance action performed less than 10 days, then the cardiac complications to be preventable. That's why early diagnosis of this disease would be very much helpful.

The good news is, if given immediate treatment, only about 5-10% of all cases of Kawasaki syndrome, which will develop into heart problems.

Other complications may occur, because vasculitis can also occur in other places apart from the artery. Various types of other complications may also occur due to Kawasaki syndrome is however the possibility of these cases occur very rare.

Range of possible complications of the disease kawakasi are as follows:

Ø inflammation (inflammation) in blood vessels (valculitis).

Ø Inflammation of the heart muscle (mycarditis).

Ø Inflammation of the lining of the wrapping of the heart (pericarditis).

Ø Inflamsi the joints (arthritis).

Ø Inflamsi on the membrane of the brain and spinal cord (meningitis).

Ø An aneurysm in an artery that triggers blood clotting or cause heart disease.

Ø Arrhythmia or abnormal heart rhythms due to abnormalities in heart valves.

Treatment

Treatment given to people with the ultimate goal is to minimize or prevent the risk of complications to a more serious, than to cure the disorder caused by the symptoms as well of course. Generally, the treatment given there are two:

Aspirin

Aspirin may help reduce the inflammation that occurs in the coronary arteries aneurysme. Other uses as well to overcome fever, inflammation of the joints, rash on the body and prevents blood clots.

Intravenous gammaglobulin

Type of antibody is administered through the bloodstream. If given as soon as possible will reduce the risk of damage to the coronary arteries and prevent the continuation of this disease to a dangerous level.

Still there are other treatments such as the use of cortisone (cortisol), a type of hormone produced by the adrenal cortex of the kidney, which have anti-inflammatory and anti allergic. Assistance from other similar drugs ibuprofen and naproxen are also sometimes used to treat joint pain prolonged.

Plasmapheresis or plasma replacement is used when aspirin and gammablogulin not surviving the disease. This is very helpful, because Kawasaki disease who did not respond to aspirin treatment and gammablobulin usually quite harmless.

Once treated, the peels will generally occur on the hands or feet. But not to worry, because these events are very common. The most important thing is to give sufficient attention to the child so that he feels comfortable.

There are several instances where the disease can recur after a few weeks or several months later. Immediately contact your doctor if this occurs.